And also because we have rock very near the surface in many areas, which adds significantly to cost. You can add $15,000/space by blasting underground, or a few thousand per space by just buying more land and staying above ground.

Daniel Corp. and Selig Enterprises have secured Northwestern Mutual as a debt and equity partner on the new tower at 12th Street and Crescent Avenue.

Construction on the more than 300-unit apartment building will start in October, said Steve Baile, a senior vice president with Daniel Corp., who leads its operations in Atlanta. The project, 77 12th Street, will take shape on a site across from the Irish pub and restaurant Ri Ra, one of several intown apartment projects developers have in the pipeline.

The Atlanta Development Authority approved a property tax break Thursday for a 23-story apartment tower that condo developer Jim Borders plans for Midtown. The total estimated tax savings for the project called Skyhouse is $2.5 million over 10 years.

In an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution after the meeting, Borders said he doesn’t have construction financing yet, but the tax break is a crucial piece toward getting it because it lowers his costs in the project's first 10 years.

Two veteran Atlanta developers want to build a 350,000-square-foot office building in downtown’s Luckie Marietta district and make it part of a new “Times Square” environment.

Seven Oaks Co. and Legacy Property Group have formed a joint venture to develop the project, known as 285 Marietta. It would be geared to creative or high-tech companies with an influential Generation Y workforce.

A more specific target might be Atlanta-based Turner Broadcasting System Inc. The company has talked about expanding downtown for years, according to real estate observers.

Be interesting to see how the bioswales work in an urban environment. It seems like they might collect a lot of trash. How often do they have to be cleaned out? Also if someone is drunk and walking home from Einstein's and falls into one - is the city liable?

The Campanile (1155 Peachtree) has applied for a variance to place a 47ft sign on the building. Current zoning would limit it to 30ft. I have no idea what the sign would be or what side of the building it would go on.

The Campanile (1155 Peachtree) has applied for a variance to place a 47ft sign on the building. Current zoning would limit it to 30ft. I have no idea what the sign would be or what side of the building it would go on.

I think the sign is for SunTrust - didn't they sign a pretty big lease there?

Be interesting to see how the bioswales work in an urban environment. It seems like they might collect a lot of trash. How often do they have to be cleaned out? Also if someone is drunk and walking home from Einstein's and falls into one - is the city liable?

This streetscape project is definitely needed and I'm glad they are reducing the lanes to 3 as well as adding a bike lane.

Chris, you are thinking too much into it... I can't imagine it would collect anymore trash than the current tree wells/plantings (which is pretty much none). I guess we will have to see how the "test" goes next year.

This streetscape project is definitely needed and I'm glad they are reducing the lanes to 3 as well as adding a bike lane.

Agreed. If we must continue to tolerate the one-way streets in Midtown, we need to continue to make them consistent (and moderate, ie <5 lane) widths and maximize sidewalk space. Juniper goes from three lanes to four starting at 10th Street, and by the time it reaches North Avenue it's at five lanes. West Peachtree goes from four lanes up to five at 12th Street for no apparent reason.

That's why these streetscape projects are important. The default in Midtown is that every bit of pavement that can be used by cars is used by cars. With increasing foot traffic, it's simply not safe to have such limited sidewalks in so many areas.

Wow - Madame Tussauds in Atlanta! I didn't expect to see that coming. It looks like skyscrapers are starting to be in vogue again in Atlanta, glad to see that.

Brad, where have you been? Long time no see. Regarding Madame Taussauds, the parent company has been looking at the ATL for some time and ultimately want to put an EYE Of LONDON type of project here. Legoland was the first step-under construction at Phipps-the museum would be the second step.

Brad, where have you been? Long time no see. Regarding Madame Taussauds, the parent company has been looking at the ATL for some time and ultimately want to put an EYE Of LONDON type of project here. Legoland was the first step-under construction at Phipps-the museum would be the second step.

Brad, where have you been? Long time no see. Regarding Madame Taussauds, the parent company has been looking at the ATL for some time and ultimately want to put an EYE Of LONDON type of project here. Legoland was the first step-under construction at Phipps-the museum would be the second step.

Hey, thanks for asking! It would be great to have more attractions (not that there aren't already) in Atlanta when we come back to visit with the kids. 2 years later my 4 year old still talks about the aquarium.

__________________
Pudding will not fill the emptiness inside my soul... but it will help.